The 14th Women’s World 3-Cushion Championship in Gradignan, France, has a new champion. Güzin Müjde Karakaşlı claimed the biggest title of her career, defeating the Netherlands’ Karina Jetten 30-18 in 30 innings in the final.
For the Turkish player, who is based in Istanbul, it is her first World Championship title.
Karakaşlı takes her chance
The victory is perhaps a surprise, but certainly not a shock.
Karakaşlı has been progressing steadily in recent years, regularly appearing among the strongest players in the women’s game. In Gradignan, she took another important step forward and, once defending champion Therese Klompenhouwer was eliminated, seized the opportunity.
Her route to the title was anything but easy. After surviving a 30-29 thriller against Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Bich Tram in the Round of 16, she defeated Korea’s Da Young Choi 30-24 in 46 innings in the quarter-final.
She then faced Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Yen Sinh in the semi-final before reaching the championship match.
Jetten reaches the final after eliminating Klompenhouwer
Karina Jetten also produced an impressive run to the final.
After defeating Johana Sandoval in the Round of 16 and Ayaka Miyashita 30-15 in 29 innings in the quarter-final, Jetten faced her compatriot and defending champion Therese Klompenhouwer in the semi-final.
Jetten won that all-Dutch battle 30-27 in 27 innings, ending Klompenhouwer’s title defence and reaching the World Championship final for the first time.
The final, however, was a different story.
Karakaşlı took control early and Jetten never really found her rhythm. The Turkish player eventually closed out the match 30-18 in 30 innings, becoming World Champion for the first time.
A new name at the top
The result also marks an important moment for women's 3-cushion billiards.
For several years, Therese Klompenhouwer had been the dominant figure at the World Championship. In Gradignan, however, the Dutchwoman's reign came to an end in the semi-finals.
With Klompenhouwer out, Karakaşlı took her opportunity and completed a breakthrough tournament.
A full house for the final
The championship match was played in front of a near-capacity crowd in Gradignan, giving the new World Champion a memorable setting for the biggest victory of her career.
Karakaşlı also had special support in the audience from the Turkish team on site especially Irem, Guzin’s best friend, who was there to share the moment.
The Turkish federation will certainly have plenty to celebrate as well: one of its leading players has now reached the summit of women's 3-cushion billiards.
Final ranking
| Rank | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| ? 1 | Güzin Müjde Karakaşlı | ?? |
| ? 2 | Karina Jetten | ?? |
| ? 3 | Therese Klompenhouwer | ?? |
| ? 3 | Nguyen Duc Yen Sinh | ?? |
| 5 | Chae Won Heo | ?? |
| 5 | Da Young Choi | ?? |
| 5 | Ayaka Miyashita | ?? |
| 5 | Magali Declunder | ?? |
The quarter-final results confirm the four players eliminated at that stage: Chae Won Heo, Da Young Choi, Ayaka Miyashita and Magali Declunder.
From women to juniors
The tables in Gradignan will not remain quiet for long.
The Women’s World Championship is now over, and the World Junior 3-Cushion Championship begins today, from September 18 to 20 in Gradignan.
A new generation now takes centre stage.